E-news! Events & Announcements for July 23

supporting equity for all families and children

E-news!

Events & Announcements

for July 23 - August 6, 2019

Greetings!

Summer's over half-way through: time to get out and do all those summery things before fall hits! Perhaps a hike along the Pacific, in Pacifica? Also inside: our 12-week series, Positive Parenting Program: chock full of info, learning, and growth. Read on...

In the news

Every Child Deserves a Family

We are working with many partner organizations to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ parents and youth in foster care and adoption, and we could use your help.

Ten states have passed laws allowing discrimination against LGBTQ+ parents and youth. California does not currently permit this sort of discrimination, but we owe it to our community to do what we can to ensure that all states treat our families with dignity and fairness, and to send a strong message that as a nation we vigorously oppose this unconscionable discrimination wherever it emerges.

We are joining in a national push for attention and support this Thursday, July 25. There are three ways you can participate:

Lobby your Representative: Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative. When connected, tell them your name and urge your representative to cosponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, HR 3114, which promises to open up more loving homes to youth by banning discrimination against LGBTQ and religious minority parents. If possible, explain why the Every Child Deserves a Family Act matters to you personally.
Lobby your Senator: Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your senators. When connected, tell them your name and urge your Senator to cosponsor the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, S. 1791, which promises to open up more loving homes to youth by banning discrimination against LGBTQ and religious minority parents. If possible, explain why the Every Child Deserves a Family Act matters to you personally.
Amplify your efforts on social media, sharing this important message in a national awareness campaign this Thursday, July 25, 11am Pacific/ 2pm Eastern. Social media graphics galore here at the Every Child Deserves a Family campaign's online HQ.

Thank you so much for standing up for LGBTQ families and children everywhere!

Upcoming Events

Queer Family Hike!

While the rest of the country wilts in the heat, let's head to Pacifica in our down jackets and have some foggy summertime fun. The trail is flat and stroller-friendly. It's an out-and-back hike with the "half way" point being the beach where we can stop and play/eat and brave ones can get their feet wet in the cold ocean!

For more info, hit up Karlon: karlon@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960.

When: Sunday, July 28,

Where: Mori Point, Pacifica

for more info or to RSVP

Positive Parenting Program

[Group Triple P]

Get ready to be (closer to!) the parent or caregiver you've always wanted to be! Our ever-popular, always helpful Positive Parenting Program series begins on August 1st and runs for 12 weeks through September 26.

Participants learn about social and emotional development of children, what sort of practices and habits caregivers can cultivate to help kids find and begin to rely on their own capacities to "self-regulate." Sessions on parental stress relief and anger management are helpful in every predicament, kid-related or not!

As with all our evening events, childcare and dinner provided with advance registration.

Where: Our Family Coalition's office, 1385 Mission St., #340, SF

When: 12 Thursdays, August 1 - Sept 26 • 6:00 - 8:00pm

for more info or to RSVP

Ongoing Groups

Drop-in support groups, playgroups, and workshop series.

Drop-In Support for LGBTQ Parents

When : TONIGHT , July 23

meets 4th Tuesdays

Where : OFC's office, 1385 Mission St. #340, SF [ map ]

for more info or to RSVP

NEW GROUP:

Prospective & Expectant Parents

When : Wednesdays, July 24, 31, Aug 7, 14, 21, 28 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Where : OFC office, 1385 Mission St., #340, San Francisco [ map ]

for more info or to RSVP

Monthly QTPOC Parents Support Group

When : 2nd Tuesdays, next group meets August 13

Where : OFC's office, 1385 Mission St. #340, SF [ map ]

for more info or to RSVP

NEW GROUP:

Prospective & Expectant Parents

Ready to start a family, but aren't sure where to begin? Or is a child on the way and you want to connect with other queer and trans expectant families? Whether adopting, using alternative insemination, or pursuing surrogacy: get the support and information you need in a facilitated group of kindred spirits!

When: 6 more Wednesdays, July 24 - Aug 28, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where: OFC office, 1385 Mission St., #340, SF [ map]

for more info or to RSVP

Toddle With Me: Music & Movement

[1-5 years]

When : Fridays, July 26, Aug 9, 16

9:00am – 10:30am

Where : Recess Collective, 2226 Taraval, San Francisco [ map ]

for more info or to RSVP

Baby & Me: Infant Class

[0-12 months]

When : Mondays, July 29, Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

3-4:30pm

Where : Community Well, 78 Ocean Ave, SF [ map ]

for more info or toRSVP

Community Announcements

Luna Dance Free Open House

Luna Dance Institute’s fall open house features Luna's nationally renowned, developmentally appropriate approach to teaching creative dance and improvisation classes for all ages. Family dance and free kids classes in a beautiful studio minutes from the Berkeley Aquatic Park and Fourth Street shopping areas.

Refreshments, dancing, and guaranteed fun!

When: Saturday, September 7

Where: 605 Addison St., Berkeley

For further info: email Aiano Nakagawa or call 510-883-1118

The census next year will be one of the most powerful ways to ensure our voices are represented in government, and heard when it comes time to apportion public funding for family support. Learn more about how the state is working to ensure everybody counts.

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The next E-news will be on summer vacation!

But we'll be back with the next E-news in the second half of August. Meanwhile, visit our August events page for all the upcoming OFC events, or call our SF office at 415-981-1960 for more info.

See you again soon!

Our Family Coalition advances equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) families with children through support, education, and advocacy.

We are able to do what we do with support from public grants, foundations, and... you, the community! Please help us stay strong with a donation today!

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